Man aimed rifle at skateboarders, Madison Heights Police say

MADISON HEIGHTS -- A Berkley man faces multiple felony assault charges after police say he aimed an assault-type rifle at three adult skateboarders he argued with at a motel.

Nathan Johnson, 26, is jailed on $6,000 cash bond on three counts of felonious assault and faces a hearing Wednesday in Madison Heights 43rd District Court.

Johnson and his mother had been staying at the Econo Lodge motel, 32703 Stephenson, for about a month. A number of adult skateboarders were staying at the motel for the weekend and were in town for a skateboarding event in nearby Royal Oak, police said.

Police were called to the motel early Sunday on a noise complaint from Johnson about the three skateboarders -- two men, 23, and a woman, 21 -- who were in a room near his, police said. They in turn accused Johnson of running up and punching one of the men in the head.

Advertisement

Police left the motel but were called back by the three skateboarders about 6:45 a.m.

"The victims were standing outside their room near the parking lot and the suspect was outside his room," said Madison Heights Police Lt. Robert Anderson. "Apparently, words were exchanged and the suspect went into his room and got a rifle and pointed it at the victims."

The three skateboarders took cover behind vehicles parked in the lot and someone called police.

Officers arrived and police said they went to Johnson's room and found a semiautomatic assault-type rifle underneath the bed. The gun is a Wasr and looks like an AK-47, police said.

Johnson was arrested and arraigned later the same day on three counts of felonious assault.

Each of the charges is punishable by up to four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Johnson is scheduled for a pre-exam conference in Madison Heights District Court at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said the suspect has prior convictions for assault and weapons violations.